Fastener system for fabrics

ABSTRACT

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for removably fastening a decoration to a garment (e.g., a scarf or hat) or other decorative material, such that the decoration is secured in a desired orientation. In one implementation, a decorative fastener includes a decoration and a receiver. The decoration has a decorative member and a pin. The decorative member has a surface displaying aesthetic content and a fastening surface. The pin has a securing portion extending from the fastening surface. The securing portion has one or more securing features. The receiver has at least one receiving feature protruding from a surface and forming a plurality of fastening paths. Each of the fastening paths is configured to receive the securing portion of the pin. An orientation of the surface of the decorative member displaying the aesthetic content is based on a selection of one of the plurality of fastening paths.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims benefit ofpriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/209,051, filed Mar. 13,2014 and entitled “Fastener System for Fabrics”, which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/790,527,filed Mar. 15, 2013 and entitled “Fastener System for Fabrics.” Theaforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety into the present application.

BACKGROUND

Many different fabrics are used as garments to decorate a person, item,or space. For example, scarves are generally used to decorate and clothea neck, face, head, and/or shoulder regions of a person. Scarves areoften an elongated textile material sized to drape, wind, or tie aroundone or more regions of a person. Various types of hats are further usedto decorate and clothe a head region of a person.

Sometimes a pin, brooch, or other decoration is attached to a garment toenhance the decorative effect of the garment or to otherwise fasten orsecure the garment in various configurations. Conventionally, such adecoration is attached to the garment using a sharp, thin pin thatpenetrates the textile of the garment. Such conventional pins aregenerally in the form of safety pins that include a sharp, thin pin witha point bendable back towards the head where it can be held with a guardwhen closed. However, these pins are often visible and unpleasantaesthetically. Further, these pins are easily weighed down by thedecoration and make it challenging to secure the decoration in adesirable orientation.

It is with these observations in mind, among others, that variousaspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed.

SUMMARY

Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoingproblems, among others, by providing a fastener system that removablymounts a decoration to a garment or other decorative material such thatthe decoration is secured in a desired orientation. In oneimplementation, a decorative fastener includes a decoration and areceiver. The decoration has a decorative member and a pin. Thedecorative member has a surface displaying aesthetic content and afastening surface. The pin has a securing portion extending from thefastening surface. The securing portion has one or more securingfeatures. The receiver has at least one receiving feature protrudingfrom a surface and forming a plurality of fastening paths. Each of thefastening paths is configured to receive the securing portion of thepin. An orientation of the surface of the decorative member displayingthe aesthetic content is based on a selection of one of the plurality offastening paths.

Other implementations are also described and recited herein. Further,while multiple implementations are disclosed, still otherimplementations of the presently disclosed technology will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which shows and describes illustrative implementations ofthe presently disclosed technology. As will be realized, the presentlydisclosed technology is capable of modifications in various aspects, allwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosedtechnology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to beregarded as illustrative in nature and not limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and back schematic views, respectively, of anexample decorative fastener secured to a garment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the decorative fastener.

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the decoration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the decoration.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front perspective views of a pin and pin mount, shownuncoupled and coupled, respectively.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show front and back perspective views, respectively, ofthe pin inserted through an eyelet of the garment.

FIG. 7C illustrates a front perspective view of the pin coupled to thepin mount and inserted through an eyelet of the garment.

FIG. 7D is a back perspective view of the pin inserted through an eyeletof the garment and engaged to a second plate of a receiver. The receiveris shown as transparent for clarity.

FIG. 8 shows a plurality of receiving features on the second plate of areceiver.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the pin and the second plate of the receiveruncoupled and coupled, respectively.

FIG. 11 shows the pin as a helical spring.

FIG. 12 illustrates example operations for securing a decorativefastener to a garment for display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, apparatuses, andmethods for securing a decorative fastener to a fabric or other adecorative material. In the case of a garment, such as a scarf, peopleuse many different approaches for draping or otherwise tying the scarfaround their shoulders and neck. For example, one person may cross thetwo ends of the scarf in front of his or her neck to form an opening andloop one end through the opening, while another person may fold thescarf in half prior to wrapping it around his or her neck to form anopening through which the unfolded end is inserted. Infinity scarves,which are circular scarves with no ends and a tubular configurationformed by coupling material together to form an interior region,similarly involve various approaches for draping or otherwise tyingaround the neck and shoulders.

The decorative fastener, which may display a pin, brooch, or otherdecoration, is attached to the scarf to enhance the decorative effect ofthe scarf or to otherwise fasten or secure the scarf in variousconfigurations. Various features of the decorative fastener ensure thedecoration is oriented upright independent of a chosen approach fordraping the scarf, among other advantages. Stated differently,regardless of what method a person chooses for draping a scarf, thesystems, apparatuses, and methods of the present disclosure orient thedecoration upright once fastened to the scarf.

In one particular aspect, the scarf includes one or more groups ofopenings (e.g., eyelets) positioned at different locations on the scarf.Each of the groups of openings includes a plurality of openings orientedrelative to one another. For example, each of the groups of openings mayinclude four openings oriented at 90° angles relative to each other.Based on the orientation of the scarf once it is draped over the person,the person may select one of the openings to insert the decoration toorient it upright. The decoration includes a decorative member, whichmay be a brooch, jewelry, pin, or other aesthetic content, and a pinthat is mounted to the decorative member. A receiver is fixed to ahidden surface of the scarf to receive and engage the pin. The receiverincludes a receiving plate that has a plurality of receiving featuresprotruding from a surface. The receiving features may be, for example,triangular shaped protrusions with one corner of each of the receivingfeatures pointing towards an opposite receiving feature. The receivingfeatures are symmetrically oriented with respect to each other on thesurface, thereby forming different fastening paths. For example, thefastening paths may be positioned along the 90° angles adjacent to theopenings in the scarf, providing four orientation options for fasteningthe decoration.

A person may own different decorations for various occasions, such assporting events (e.g., displaying a team logo), affiliation or communityevents (e.g., displaying a motorcycle company logo), or formal events(e.g., displaying jewelry or other formal aesthetic content). Thepresently disclosed technology enables the exchange of one decorationfor another depending on the event and preferences of the person. Whilethe above example discussed a scarf, among other features, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the example was intended tobe illustrative in nature and not limiting.

For a detailed description of an example decorative fastener 102 securedto a decorative material 10, reference is made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, whichare front and back schematic views, respectively. In one implementation,the decorative material 10 is a strip or wed of textile material havinga decorative surface 50 and a hidden surface 100. In anotherimplementation, the decorative material 10 includes a plurality oflayers, forming one or more inner surfaces. In still anotherimplementation, the decorative material 10 is a tubular configurationformed by the decorative surface 50 coupling to the hidden surface 100to form an interior region (not shown). However, other configurationsand surfaces are contemplated. The decorative material 10 may be,without limitation, a garment, including, without limitation, scarves,hats, shawls, jerseys, coats, sweaters, shirts, pants, or other clothingitems. Further, it will be appreciated that the decorative material 10may include bags, furniture, or other fabrics or decorative textilematerials.

In one implementation, the decorative surface 50 of the decorativematerial 10 displays a decoration 104 of the decorative fastener 102. Inone implementation, the decoration 104 extends through the decorativematerial 10 from the decorative surface 50 to the hidden surface 100where the decoration 104 engages a fastener 106. In anotherimplementation, the decoration 104 is held against the decorativesurface 50 by the fastener 106, for example, using one or more magnetsor the like. The fastener 106 is fixed to the hidden surface 100 and isconfigured to removably fasten the decoration 102 to the decorativesurface 50 in an upright position, independent of the orientation of thedecorative material 10.

The decorative fastener 102 may be made from various materials,including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, ceramic, wood, otherrobust materials, and some combination of them. In one implementation,the decorative fastener 102 has a generally flat profile to reducevisual bulk and is generally lightweight to reduce sagging of thedecoration 104 and pulling of the decorative material 10 due to gravity,as well as increase comfort during use. For example, the decoration 104may weigh up to approximately 1.5 ounces and be up to approximately 0.5inches thick. However, other weights and sizes are contemplated. Thedecoration 104 may be, for example, a brooch, decorative pin, or thelike.

Turning to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the decorative fastener 102 isshown. In one implementation, the decorative fastener 102 includes thedecoration 104 and the fastener 106, which includes a receiver 108. Thedecoration 104 includes a decorative member 110 and a pin 112.

The decorative member 110 may be any shape and include one or moredecorative surfaces 111 displaying aesthetic content. The decorativesurfaces 111 may be smooth, angular, contoured, textured, and/or thelike. The aesthetic content may include, without limitation, one or morecolors, patterns, logos, jewelry, designs, pictures, and other aestheticcontent. For example, the aesthetic content may include a sports logo ormemorabilia, a company logo or trademark, marketing content, or othercommunity or group identifying content. The pin 112 is mounted orotherwise extends from a fastening surface 113. The receiver 108 isconfigured to receive the pin 112 to fasten the decoration 104 to thedecorative material 10.

In one implementation, the receiver 108 includes an enclosing plate 114and a receiving plate 116. The enclosing plate 114 includes a firstsurface 118 positioned generally opposite a second surface 120, with oneor more posts 122 extending from the second surface 120. The posts 122are configured to engage corresponding features in the receiving plate116 to secure the enclosing plate 114 to the receiving plate 116.

The second plate 116 includes a first surface 124 positioned generallyopposite a second surface 126. In one implementation, the first surface124 and the second surface 126 are substantially planar. The firstsurface 124 includes one or more receiving features 128 protruding fromor otherwise defined in the first surface 124. Some or all of thereceiving features 128 may include holes 130 defined therein. In oneimplementation, the holes 130 are configured to receive and engage theposts 122 of the engaging plate 114 to cover the receiving features 128and/or at least a portion of the first surface 124. Generally, thereceiving features 128 form a plurality of fastening paths configured toreceive the pin 112 in different orientations. As such, the decoration104 may be easily oriented in a variety of manners and positionsindependent of the orientation of the decorative material 10. Stateddifferently, an orientation of the decorative surface 111 is based on aselection of one of the fastening paths, and with the availability of avariety of fastening paths oriented in different manners and/ordirections, the decorative surface 111 may be fastened to the decorativesurface 50 of the decorative material 10 in an upright orientation byselecting the appropriate fastening path.

In one implementation, the receiver 108 is fixed to a pocket 132, whichsecures the receiver 108 to the decorative material 10. The pocket 132may include a mounting surface 133 configured to engage the decorativematerial 10 and a mating surface 134 configured to engage the secondsurface 126 of the receiving plate 116. In one implementation, thepocket 132 includes a tapered surface 135 connecting the mountingsurface 133 to the mating surface 134. The mounting surface 133 of thepocket 132 may be sewn onto or otherwise attached to the decorativematerial 10. In another implementation, the receiver 108 is directlyfixed to the decorative material 10. The pocket 132 and/or the receiver108 may be attached to the hidden surface 100 or an inner surface of thedecorative material 10, such that the pocket 132 and receiver 108 aresubstantially hidden from view. Further, a plurality of receivers 108may be attached to the decorative material 10 at different locations toprovide various options for placing and orienting the decoration 104 onthe decorative material 10. In other implementations, neither the pocket132 nor the receiver 108 is affixed to the decorative material 10, andthe decoration 104 is removably fastened to the decorative material 10by penetrating or otherwise threading the decoration 104 through thedecorative material 10 into the receiver 108. Alternatively, thedecoration 104 does not penetrate the decorative material 10 and isremovably mounted to the decorative material 10 using one or moremagnets in the receiver 108, which may be fixed to the decorativematerial 10 or held up against the decorative material 10 tomagnetically couple corresponding magnet(s) in the decoration 104.

As can be understood from FIGS. 3-4, which are back perspective andexploded views of the decoration 104, respectively, in oneimplementation, the pin 112 is mounted on the fastening surface 113 ofthe decorative member 110 with a pin mount 136. The fastening surface113 of the decorative member 110 may include one or more engagingfeatures to engage the pin mount 136. In one implementation, thedecorative member 110 includes one or more posts 138 extending from thefastening surface 113 through one or more holes 140 in the pin mount136. The holes 140 extend from a first side 142 of the pin mount 136 toa second side 144. The posts 138 include a flat tip that fixes the pinmount 136 to the fastening surface 113 of the decorative member 110.Stated differently, the posts 138 are inserted through the holes 140,and the posts 138 are hit with a force to create a flat tip that engagesa portion of the second side 144 to fix the pin mount 136 to thefastening surface 113. In another implementation, one or more screws(not shown) are inserted through the holes 140 to engage one or morerespective holes in the fastening surface 113. Other mechanisms forengaging and/or mounting the pin mount 136 to the fastening surface 113are contemplated.

When the pin mount 136 is fixed to the fastening surface 113, the firstside 142 of the pin mount 136 faces in a direction towards thedecorative member 110. In one implementation, the first side 142 of thepin mount 136 includes a channel 146 defined therein, adapted to engageat least a portion of the pin 112 to secure the pin 112 to thedecorative member 110. In this implementation, once the pin 112 engagesthe channel 146, the pin 112 extends in a direction away from thefastening surface 113 of the decorative member 110 to engage thereceiver 108. When the pin 112 engages the receiver 108, in oneimplementation, the first surface 118 of the engaging plate 114 faces adirection generally towards the decoration 104, such that at least aportion of the decorative material 10 extends between the first surface118 of the engaging plate 114 and the second side 144 of the pin mount136.

In one implementation, the pin 112 includes a first blunt end 148 and asecond blunt end 150. The blunt ends 148, 150 are each adapted topenetrate or thread through an opening in the decorative material 10without harming the decorative material 10 and/or the person wearingdecorative material 10. In one implementation, the pin 112 includes anelongated body 152 extending between the first blunt end 148 and thesecond blunt end 150. The elongated body 152 includes a securing portionconfigured to engage the receiving features 128 of the receiver 108. Inone implementation, the securing portion includes a first securing body153 and a second securing body 152. The first securing body 153 extendsfrom the first blunt end 148 to a mounting portion 156, and the secondsecuring body 154 extends from the second blunt end 150 to the mountingportion 156. In one implementation, the first securing body 153 extendssubstantially parallel to the second securing body 154.

The securing portion of the elongated body 152 includes one or moresecuring features 158, which are configured to removably engage thereceiver 108 to fasten the decorative member 110 into a selectedorientation. In one implementation, the securing features 158 areshaped, sized, and otherwise configured to be matingly engage thereceiving features 128 of the receiving plate 116. As shown in FIGS. 3and 4, in one implementation, the securing features 158 are anglednotches in the first securing body 153 and/or the second securing body154.

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, which are front perspective views of the pin112 and the pin mount 136 shown uncoupled and coupled, respectively, inone implementation, the mounting portion 156 of the elongated body 152is configured to be received by and engage the channel 146 of the pinmount 136. The channel 146 is shaped to mirror and matingly engage themounting portion 156 to secure the pin 112 to the pin mount 136. In oneimplementation, the mounting portion 156 and the channel 146 are eachcontoured. For example, the mounting portion 156 may form a generalU-shape, with the curved portion of the U-shape extending towards thefirst and second blunt ends 148 and 150, and the channel 146 may beshaped to mirror the U-shape of the mounting portion 156.

As can be understood from FIGS. 7A-7D, the pin 112 is configured forthreading through an opening 162 in or to otherwise penetrate throughthe decorative material 10 into the receiver 108. The opening 162 in thedecorative material 10 may be formed from the space between each of thefibers of the textile material of the decorative material 10, througheyelets 160 sewn into or otherwise formed in the decorative material 10,or the like. The eyelets 160 may provide assistance in locating thedecoration 104 on the decorative material 10 relative to the receiver108. In some implementations, a plurality of openings 162 or eyelets 160are positioned on the decorative material 10 such that a person maychoose an available eyelet 160 that causes the decorative member 110 tobe secured on the decorative surface 50 of the decorative material 10 ina desired orientation. For example, a scarf may be placed on a person ina variety of manners and it is often inconsistent where differentportions of the scarf come to rest relative to the person and otherareas of the scarf. As such, the plurality of eyelets 160 or otheropenings 162 permits the decorative member 110 to be easily fastened tothe scarf in a desirable orientation (e.g., on a front and outwardlyfacing region of the scarf in an upright position) regardless of how thescarf is placed on the person. The openings 162 are positioned adjacentto fastening paths 164 formed by the receiving features 128 of thereceiving plate 116, such that the securing portion (e.g., the firstsecuring body 153 and the second securing body 154) may be insertedthrough one of the openings 162 and along the fastening path 164adjacent to the selected opening 162 until the securing features 158engage the receiving features 128.

For a detailed discussion of the receiving plate 116, reference is madeto FIG. 8. In one implementation, the receiving features 128 aregenerally triangular in shape. However, other shapes including, but notlimited to, circular, elliptical, rectangular, conical, cylindrical,pyramidal, or the like are contemplated. In one implementation, theorientation and/or positioning of the receiving features 128 on thefirst surface 124 form different of fastening paths 164. Stateddifferently, the receiving features 128 are oriented relative to eachother to create a plurality of available fastening paths 164 throughwhich the first securing body 153 and/or the second securing body 154 ofthe pin 112 may be inserted to engage the receiving features 128. Thereceiving features 128 may be symmetrically oriented on the firstsurface 124, with the symmetrical orientation forming the fasteningpaths 164. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the receivingfeatures 128 may be symmetrical about an x-axis with first adjacentreceiving feature and symmetrical about a y-axis with a second adjacentreceiving feature.

In one implementation, the receiving features 128 are positioned suchthat one corner of each of the receiving features 128 points towards onecorner of an opposite receiving feature. As can be understood from FIGS.9 and 10, which illustrate the pin 112 and the second plate 116 of thereceiver 108 uncoupled and coupled, respectively, an indent in each ofthe receiving features 128, for example at the corners of the receivingfeatures 128, may be configured to engage the securing features 158 ofthe pin 112. In one implementation, the pin 112 is configured to slideinto one of the fastening paths 164 until the securing features 158 onthe elongated body 152 engage one or more of the receiving features 128.Stated differently, the fastening paths 164 are each configured toslidably receive the securing portion of the pin 112 until the pin 112is fastened to the receiving plate 116 using the securing features 158and the receiving features 128. For example, the securing portion (e.g.,the first securing body 153 and the second securing body 154) of the pin112 may be inserted through the opening 162 in the decorative material10 and engage an opening in the receiver 108 formed by a connection ofthe enclosing plate 114 with the receiving plate 116 adjacent to theopening 162. The securing portion of the pin 112 then changes anglesrelative the opening in the receiver 108 and slides through the opening162 along the fastening path 164 until the securing features 158 on thesecuring portion of the pin 112 engage one or more of the receivingfeatures 128. Other manners of engaging the pin 112 to the receivingfeatures 128 of the receiver 108 are contemplated.

As can be understood from FIG. 11, the pin 112 may be a variety ofshapes and mechanisms. For example, in some implementations, theelongated body 152 of the pin 112 forms a helical spring, such that thedecoration 104 may be twisted or otherwise rotated into the decorativematerial 10 and secured into a desired position. Further, in someimplementations, the pin 112, the pin mount 136, and/or the fastener 106may be replaced by or otherwise include one or more magnets.

FIG. 12 illustrates example operations 200 for securing a decorativefastener to a garment for display. In one implementation, an insertingoperation 202 inserts an end of a pin though an opening in the garment.The pin is an elongated body that is configured to hold a decorativemember displaying aesthetic content on a decorative surface. Theinserting operation 202 inserts the end into an opening formed in areceiver. In one implementation, the opening in the receiver is formedby a connection of an enclosing plate with a receiving plate adjacent tothe opening in the garment. A sliding operation 204 slides the elongatedbody of the pin through the opening in the garment into the opening inthe receiver along a fastening path until at least one securing featureof the pin engages at least one respective receiving features of thereceiver, thereby fastening the decorative member to the garment in adesired orientation.

In the present disclosure, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are instances of exampleapproaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that thespecific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearrangedwhile remaining within the disclosed subject matter. The accompanyingmethod claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order,and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosedsubject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of thefollowing claims to encompass and include such changes. Stateddifferently, while the present disclosure has been described withreference to various implementations, it will be understood that theseembodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the presentdisclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications,additions, and improvements are possible. Functionality may be separatedor combined differently in various implementations of the disclosure ordescribed with different terminology. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope ofthe disclosure as defined in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative fastener comprising: a decorativemember having one or more decorative surfaces displaying aestheticcontent and a fastening surface; a pin mount fixed to the fasteningsurface of the decorative member, the pin mount having a channel; and apin having an elongated body extending from a first blunt end to asecond blunt end, the elongated body having a mounting portion extendingthrough and engaging the channel of the pin mount and a securing portionhaving one or more securing features.
 2. The decorative fastener ofclaim 1, wherein the channel and the mounting portion of the elongatedbody of the pin are contoured.
 3. The decorative fastener of claim 1,wherein the pin mount has at least one hole and the decorative memberhas at least one post extending from the fastening surface through theat least one hole, a flat tip of the at least one post fixing the pinmount to the decorative member.
 4. The decorative fastener of claim 1,wherein the one or more securing features are angled notches.
 5. Thedecorative fastener of claim 1, wherein the decorative member weighs upto approximately 1.5 ounces.
 6. The decorative fastener of claim 1,wherein the securing portion includes a first securing body extendingfrom the first blunt end to the mounting portion and a second securingbody extending from the second blunt end to the mounting portion.
 7. Thedecorative fastener of claim 6, wherein the first securing body extendssubstantially parallel to the second securing body.